October 2025 – Hitting the Sauce

Last Sunday, Chew Steel and I invited Boss Lady, G-Mah and Bobbino to dinner at the Exchange, located in Calgary’s Eau Claire neighbourhood. This visit was our fifth time there and hands-down the best. I even caught sight of the head chef this time, Eric Um! I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that he trained with Duncan Ly, which is a great endorsement. Let’s cue up Mystical Magical while I relive our evening.

The last time we visited, we ordered the Alberta Beef Burger ($22) and the Pasta Garlic and Olive Oil Tagliatelle ($22). The burger was sumptuous, two smash-style beef patties with crispy edges and deep, meaty flavour. Each bite was hot and juicy, with melted cheese cascading over the patties. The thick-cut red tomato was perfectly ripe. The brioche bun was light and sweet. The fries impressed too, chunky, crispy, with a soft mealy center. The burger and fries combo is a winner. I would get this again.

The tagliatelle was a treat. The noodles had that unmistakable homemade texture, less slick than dried pasta, a little puffy, with a firm, toothsome bite. The sauce was simple and elegant, lightly dressed with garlic, olive oil, and what I thought was lemon juice. The portion was so generous that I shared a quarter of it with Chew Steel.

When we revisited with our family, I convinced my mom to go for the steak. Being from B.C., she’s always had a bit of a hyped interest in Alberta beef. She thought the ribeye would be too big for her, so she chose the Steak Sandwich ($27). Holy smokes, this was hands down the best steak sandwich I’ve ever had. Superior than Hy’s, better than Caesars, my benchmarks.

Cooked perfectly to medium, each slice of steak was pink, juicy, and tender. The focaccia was light, its crisp edge a perfect contrast to the buttery softness of the steak. The sauce, a mix of lemon aioli, roasted garlic, butter, and watercress, sealed the deal. This was the clear winner of the night. I’d order it again in a heartbeat.

Chew Steel and G-Mah ordered the special of the week, Corn Pie with Aji Amarillo & Prawns ($35). The shrimp was perfectly cooked, soft but with a snap to it. The sauce was delicious, well-balanced, rich, and had a hint of kick to it. The corn pie was soft with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. I would get this again.

Bobbino ordered the Roast Pork Coppa ($33), which I’ve written about previously. I ordered a small bowl of chilli beef soup ($8) as my appetite was lacking. The chilli was comforting and well-seasoned. The addition of the pea shoots added a fresh crunch. The soups are a great option if you’re looking for something soothing and nourishing.

To date, my favourites are the steak sandwich, cheeseburger, pork belly sandwich and the carrot soup. The manager mentioned that new dishes and special dinners are on the horizon. That’s excellent news, as I’m looking forward to tasting what Chef Eric Um dreams up.

On Friday night, the good neighbours reunited! We picked True Wild Distillery for dinner, located in Calgary’s Manchester Industrial. Kournikova and Betty stopped by my place first, where we popped open a bottle of champagne Kournikova had brought along. With Québécoise absent due to prior plans, we toasted and indulged a little extra, with only three flutes filled. Let’s cue up The Fate of Ophelia for this post.

The white building seems somewhat out of place in the midst of an industrial area. When Chew Steel first brought me here for a surprise date, I joked that I hoped he wasn’t planning to murder me. Inside and out, it’s an impressive space, with high ceilings and a whimsical staircase spiralling upstairs. We were seated right next to the kitchen, arguably the best table in the house, with a sweeping view of the entire restaurant.

Betty ordered the Paper Lantern cocktail ($18), while I followed Kournikova’s lead with a dry, dirty gin martini, stirred. Its flavour was floral and perfectly balanced, and the single olive was so delicious that I found myself wishing I’d asked for more, but our server had a stern vibe, so I held back.

I’d been to True Wild before, so I recommended the beef tartare, fries, and any of the cocktails. We shared the Beef Tartare ($28), Fennel Salad ($24), Pickled Vegetables ($11), Roasted and Glazed Pork Belly ($48), and the Grilled Steelhead Trout ($46). When we asked our server if our order would be sufficient, she recommended another side, so we added the Kennebec Fries ($10). To complement the meal, we also ordered a bottle of Lionel Osmin & Cie Villa Plage Blanche ($70).

The beef tartare had changed since my last visit. Previously, it arrived beneath a nest of matchstick potatoes. This time it came with a potato chips. The meat itself was milder tasting than I remembered, served at a slightly warmer temperature with sweet and tart notes. We like to think of Betty as a bit of a beef tartare devotee, and her current favourite is at Pat and Betty’s, while Kournikova’s favourite spot is FinePrint.

The fennel salad was a standout. Crisp slices of fennel that tasted freshly picked and were dressed in a lovely walnut vinaigrette. It was so simple and refreshing. We would order the salad again.

The pickled vegetables were also a winner. Nice tang, crunch, and the vinegar balance was subtle and perfect. Kournikova pickles her own veggies, and even she agreed they were good. Betty noted the varied selection, cabbage, carrots, and beans, all served with an aioli.

The roasted and glazed pork belly was everyone’s favourite. Betty noted it was buttery with so much flavour, while Kournikova praised the crispy skin, noting that people often get it wrong. Here, the chefs had it perfectly rendered, fat and all. The sugar pumpkin was served roasted, dry and soft, which provided an appreciated contrast to the richness of the meats.

The grilled steelhead was also expertly cooked. The flesh was tender, rich, and soft. However, I was so full I couldn’t finish my portion, and it hurt my soul to leave food on my plate that tasted so good.

We munched away on the fries, which were just as good as last time. We definitely over-ordered. For three women, sharing two mains and a salad is more than enough, as the main courses are generously sized, particularly the pork dish.

I’m looking forward to our next dinner. Bar Gigi, Carino, or maybe The Exchange in Eau Claire. To be continued.

Month: October 2025

Exchange – Praise beef

True Wild Distillery – Girls’ Night